Save the date!
Dressage4Kids' Weekend Educational Program
January 31 - February 1, 2015
Nonnewaug High School,
Woodbury, CT
For Riders of All Disciplines
and Levels, Instructors, and
Parents.www.dressage4kids.orgDesigned for riders of all ages,
disciplines, and levels; parents;
and trainers, the Weekend
Educational Program seeks to
include everyone from the horse
community, and the two day event
provides great networking
opportunities with fellow riders
and trainers from multiple
disciplines.For more information regarding
the Weekend Educational
Program, please go towww.dressage4kids.org
or contact Susan Sieber,
Event Coordinator, at
ssieber@interstatelumber.com
or at (203) 223 4261.Dressage4Kids, Inc. is a non-profit
organization incorporated for the
express purpose of providing
educational and competitive
opportunities for youth riders
and the adults who support
them.

Region 8 News
Greetings and OMG! BRRRR! Blizzard! What will be next?
I have been given an opportunity to take my horse to Florida. It's the first time for me and maybe the only time but I'm spending the time training. I did go to the USDF FEI Trainer's Conference which had Stephan Clarke, a FEI 5* judge, and it was just amazing. In most cases the rider would do a test, Stephan would judge it out loud and then they would work on areas to improve. When the riders returned the next day, it was amazing to see how it had improved. I tried one exercise he suggested on Al and I could see (in the mirrors) and feel what it was doing.
At one of the CDIs here a few weeks ago, I was the show secretary. It certainly was not a huge show but the number of non-members who were doing their renewals online at the show was huge. So here is YOUR reminder to get your memberships done, your Coggins done, download the entry forms and fill out all but the class info. Think about your goals for your riding and discuss them with your trainer, and basically relax as it is only a few weeks before the first shows and clinics are here.
Have you put the date of April 25-26, 2015 on your calendar? It is the adult clinic with Kathy Connelly and Betsy Steiner as the clinicians. It will be held at Dan Mar Ranch in Nunda, NY, and we need riders and auditors to come!
REMEMBER another date….April 11 at 11:30am at the Amherst Brewing Co. will be our spring meeting. I will send skype details closer in. I know the agenda will have sub-committee reports on fund raising, discussion on possible off year adult clinic for the region, and more. This is YOUR region and you will have a huge opportunity to voice your opinion and to participate and get involved. I urge everyone to come.
That is all for now. Stay Warm…give hugs and kisses to our equine friends! AND may the groundhog NOT see his shadow!
See you on the Centerline…
Debra Reinhardt
USDF Region 8 Director

WNEPHA Schooling Shows 2015
These shows have been added to the Event Calendar!!!!!!!

Region 8 News
OK! Mother Nature, this is not funny anymore!!! Groundhog needs to be laid off, or put on furlough or ….??? Our temperatures have been colder than Alaska temperatures for the month of February! That is just not right.
While I am in Florida for the first time for the season (I had enough of winter last year!), I have not forgotten riding where my shoulders are braced up around my ears trying to stay warm, to where I want to feel my toes and fingers so I know if my feet are in the stirrups and if I actual am holding a whip, and to where the horse's spit has not formed icicles on the reins! Enough!!!
So let talk positively, and think about the show season coming!!! As a show manager, I am getting everything ready and competitors, you should too! For those who were not in Florida showing, get your memberships, registrations and Coggins done NOW!!! Look and plan the shows you are thinking about. Make some realistic goals! You have nothing else to do!
Another thing to consider doing when it is just too cold to ride is watching some dressage DVDs. I find by watching someone else riding, I actually get better and my instructor does notice. Invite some friends over for some 'refreshments' to watch with you. You might even be able to have your instructor come to make comments as I am sure they would like to get out of the cold TOO!!!
Nominations are still open for Participating members to be delegates at the 2015 USDF convention. If you are interested or if you want to nominate someone, you need to contact Kevin England, kcengland@cox.net, quickly. As a PM Delegate you must attend the USDF convention next December and Kevin can give you the scoop in more detail of what is expected. I would love to see some new blood coming.
Have you put the date of April 25-26, 2015 on your calendar? It is the adult clinic with Kathy Connelly and Betsy Steiner as the clinicians. It will be held at Dan Mar Ranch in Nunda, NY, and we need riders and auditors to come!
REMEMBER another date….April 11 at 11:30am at the Amherst Brewing Co. will be our spring meeting. I will send Skype details closer in. I know the agenda will have sub-committee reports on fund raising, discussion on possible off year adult clinic for the region, and more. This is YOUR region and you will have a huge opportunity to voice your opinion and to participate and get involved. I urge everyone to come.
That is all for now. Stay Warm…give hugs and kisses to our equine friends!
See you on the Centerline…
Debra Reinhardt
USDF Region 8 Director